Editor's note:Over the 12 days leading up to the beginning of preseason camp, the Advertiser will take a look at each of Auburn's 12 regular season games.

The Tigers' first opponent in 2015 is Louisville in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. Recently picked to win the SEC, Auburn will have a chance to make a statement in the first game of the year against a highly touted ACC opponent.

Auburn expects to have as potent of an offense as ever under coach Gus Malzahn and junior quarterback Jeremy Johnson. Former Florida coach Will Muschamp is back on the Plains as the defensive coordinator and looks to revamp a defense that has key returners in defensive end Carl Lawson, linebacker Cassanova McKinzy and defensive back Jonathan Jones.

The Cardinals will look to make a statement as well, with Bobby Petrino heading into his second year in his second stint with the program. Auburn hopes this Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game goes better than its last, a 26-19 loss to Clemson in 2012.

Game 1

Louisville Cardinals

Date: Sept. 5

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta (71,228)

TV:WAKA/CBS

Coach:Bobby Petrino (92-34 in 10 years, second season with Louisville, sixth season overall with Louisville)

A lot to replace:Louisville had 10 players selected in the 2015 NFL draft, second most of any school behind fellow ACC member Florida State (11). The biggest loss came at wide receiver, with DaVante Parker being picked 14th overall by the Miami Dolphins, and in the trenches, with guard John Miller and tackle Jamon Brown both being picked up in the third round, with the Buffalo Bills and St. Louis Rams, respectively.

Cards from the Gump:Former G.W. Carver receiver Charles Standberry is heading into his sophomore season and former Prattville lineman Kenny Thomas signed with the Cardinals in February. Standberry — 6-foot-3, 226 pounds — moved to tight end his freshman year, catching seven passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas was a Class 7A first-team All-State selection and helped pave the way for a school-record 4,478 rushing yards.

SEC experience:Louisville did well in its ACC debut last season, but also played a pair of SEC opponents. The Cardinals ended the regular season with a 44-40 win over rival Kentucky and lost to Georgia 37-14 in the Belk Bowl.